BOLDLY Predicting the MLB Trade Deadline: National League Central

The July 31^st trading deadline is fast approaching here for the 2018 MLB season, so let’s take the chance to post a few bold predictions for every team in the National League Central before the deadline next Tuesday. Enjoy, and leave your comments and thoughts below in the comments section.

The Chicago Cubs will acquire JA Happ (went to the New York Yankees after this was written) or Steven Matz, whichever comes off the board last. The Yu Darvish experiment has failed, and Theo Epstein and company are in the market for a starting pitcher, specifically a starting pitcher that could potentially start a playoff game for the team behind Jon Lester and company. I would trust either Matz or Happ (Yankees) in a Game 3 or Game 4 situation if I were the Cubs, and I’d trust him a whole lot more than I would trust Darvish right now specifically. Chicago may also be in the market for lesser upgrades like a left-handed specialist in the bullpen or a bench piece, but a starting pitcher is likely the main target for the Cubbies as we speak.

EDIT: The team acquired Cole Hamels, does "close but no cigar" count?

The Cincinnati Reds will trade Matt Harvey, Scooter Gennett, Raisel Iglesias, David Hernandez, Jared Hughes, and Adam Duvall. While this sounds like a lot of movement for the Reds to accomplish in just five days I could totally see multiple players moved in a single deal. For instance, if the Boston Red Sox were to acquire Scooter Gennett, which I boldly predicted, then they might want to package a deal with Jared Hughes or David Hernandez as well. There will be many teams interested in Raisel Iglesias and he could fetch a premium in the trade market, but no team probably needs him more than the Colorado Rockies. After the money the team spent on their bullpen in the offseason this may come as a surprise, but if you check the stat lines for those highly paid relievers and if you then check how close Colorado is to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division the deal begins to make a little more sense. I can see a blockbuster deal going down between the Reds and the Rockies that also includes Adam Duvall along with Iglesias as both are needs for Colorado while the Rockies have the prospects to get such a deal done.

Milwaukee Brewers need a shortstop and a starting pitcher, everyone else around the league is telling Milwaukee to “join the club.” Obviously, that is my speculation, but it seems like every team that is contending or close to contending needs a starting pitcher and a shortstop. The Brewers revamped their outfield this winter and have a young and exciting team with plenty of prospects that could be moved in any number of deals, but I can’t see Milwaukee making those deals just for the sake of making them. That doesn’t seem like their style given their history over the past 10-or-so years. If the right deal comes along, for example a potential deal for James Shields to help with the rotation or a deal for Asdrubal Cabrera with hopes that he can handle the shortstop position again, then I could see the team making it. I just can’t see a substantial deal being made by Milwaukee, although watch out as they could look to acquire Yangervis Solarte from the Toronto Blue Jays with the hopes that possibly he could handle the shortstop position for the remainder of the season. 

EDIT: I mean, or they could acquire a closer or reliever like Joakim Soria and throw a monkey wrench into my whole post. Or that. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates will not make another move. The Pirates could win 12 games in a row, or they could win 25 games in a row, but I just can’t see the team doing anything substantial. Just a few weeks ago if I had written this post it would have been littered with a laundry list of players that the team was absolutely going to trade but winning a dozen or so games in a row has the tendency to change things. The Pirates management likely knows better that the team will eventually come back down to Earth here in 2018, and with that so will their hopes of a 2018 postseason spot in the National League.

The St. Louis Cardinals will also be quiet at the trading deadline in my opinion as that team is in that scary and uncomfortable position somewhere between obvious contender and should-be seller. The Cardinals have all but said that they would not move Carlos Martinez in any deal this summer and that all but told me that the Cardinals plan is to either go all-in and sell or stand pat with the core that they have now for potentially one last run at the playoffs in the 2019 season. If the team was at least open to discussing a trade for Martinez then I could see them tearing it all down, but since they wont I truly believe they will stand pat more than they will do anything before July 31st, 2018.




Disclaimer: BOLD predictions are meant to be BOLD for a reason. Keep that in mind before directing hate mail towards me or any of my writers on the blog or on Twitter. Thanks in advance.

Fantasy Baseball: Who are the New York Mets?

The New York Mets are the new version of the New York Yankees? If you read the New York tabloids and sports articles online apparently some seem to think so, me not so much but I digress. Who exactly are the New York Mets? They are a bunch of aces with a Bartolo Colon thrown in who pitch behind players like David Wright and Yoenis Cespedes. But who are the Mets really and how can they help you in your fantasy league draft? Well I’m glad you asked. 

The New York Mets have a new shortstop and a new second baseman now that Daniel Murphy is gone and the team feels good about where their offense is at this point. Asdrubal Cabrera could be the team’s starting shortstop over Wilmer Flores but he may be better suited as a backup for New York and Zack Wheeler is on his way back from Tommy John surgery leaving Bartolo Colon’s future with the team up in the air. 

We’ll start with Walker who has some large shoes to fill, especially if the Mets make the postseason for the second consecutive season. Murphy was an absolute beast in the postseason and although Walker brings much better defense and surprisingly more power to the club he may be overlooked for much of the season. Walker is one of the better second baseman in the National League in my opinion and may be a solid, not spectacular, pickup for you at the position if you can wait him out until the middle rounds. 

Asdrubal Cabrera’s position with the team is not set in stone yet and likely won’t be until the end of Spring Training. With Wilmer Flores currently manning the shortstop position and Ruben Tejada expected back sometime in early 2016 Cabrera may be forced into a super utility role. Cabrera is solid everywhere but not really spectacular at anything leaving much to be desired as a starter, although he wouldn’t be the worst 20^th round pick or so in the world. If he’s a bench player he has little fantasy value but if he’s a starter he may be worth a shot late. 

Finally you have the return of Zack Wheeler and what it may mean to Bartolo Colon. It is thought that Colon is simply keeping the seat warm for Wheeler until he can return from Tommy John surgery but as we all know, injuries happen. Colon is durable and will likely make his 20 starts or more this season and will somehow continue to defy the odds in the National League. He may even run into a pitch or two and help you with your on-base percentage at the plate (yes I know that is not counted in most leagues for pitchers…. It’s a joke). Grab both if you can, especially Wheeler with say your last pick. Lots of wins there I think between the two. 

There you have it, those are the Mets. Hopefully the Mets can help you lead your team through the postseason and to the Promised Land much like Daniel Murphy led that team to the World Series in 2015. 

ICYMI: The 1996 Team All Over Again 20 Years Later

The 1996 New York Yankees team was a team of destiny and a team that sparked a dynasty. That 1996 squad was extremely special and never laid down and died or let another team beat them down without knowing that they were in a fight. The 1996 team was fresh off a devastating loss in the Wild Card Round the year prior that marked the first time in quite a few years the team made the postseason. The 2015 version of the Yankees also broke a streak of non-playoff seasons, although it was just a two-year absence, and also lost in the Wild Card Round. The similarities do not stop there.


That team did not spend heavily on the free agent market the offseason before but the team did make the smart signings or trades, something Brian Cashman is currently trying to do. The 1996 squad went into the season with David Cone as their biggest free agent signing followed by a reclamation project in Dwight Gooden and a young gun named Andy Pettitte anchoring the rotation. New York doesn’t have a huge free agent signing this winter as of yet but Luis Severino could be the next Andy Pettitte to take the rotation, and the league, by storm. Mariano Duncan was also signed by the Yankees that winter and while, again, not a huge pickup it was a smart pickup. Duncan’s defense and ability to play small ball played into the hands of the Yankees and Joe Torre perfectly that season. Could that be Starlin Castro?


The Yankees were very active in the trade market that offseason as well pulling off a major trade and a minor notable trade. The major trade saw Russ Davis and Sterling Hitchcock head to Seattle for reliever Jeff Nelson, first baseman Tino Martinez and Jim Mecir. The minor trade was a player to be named later trade that brought Tim “Rock” Raines to the Bronx. New York may already have their minor trade of the offseason, Aaron Hicks for John Ryan Murphy, but the major trade is yet to come.


The final and most glaring similarity is a rookie and the lack of confidence from upper management in the middle infield. In 1996 it was Derek Jeter who George Steinbrenner didn’t think was ready for the show, especially defensively, while it’s Hal and Brian Cashman who lack the confidence in Robert Refsnyder heading into 2016. The stars are aligning, give the kid a shot.


I am in no way comparing the two teams, that 1996 team was built to win for a long time prior to that season, but the similarities are too glaring to ignore.

The 1996 Team All Over Again 20 Years Later

The 1996 New York Yankees team was a team of destiny and a team that sparked a dynasty. That 1996 squad was extremely special and never laid down and died or let another team beat them down without knowing that they were in a fight. The 1996 team was fresh off a devastating loss in the Wild Card Round the year prior that marked the first time in quite a few years the team made the postseason. The 2015 version of the Yankees also broke a streak of non-playoff seasons, although it was just a two-year absence, and also lost in the Wild Card Round. The similarities do not stop there.

That team did not spend heavily on the free agent market the offseason before but the team did make the smart signings or trades, something Brian Cashman is currently trying to do. The 1996 squad went into the season with David Cone as their biggest free agent signing followed by a reclamation project in Dwight Gooden and a young gun named Andy Pettitte anchoring the rotation. New York doesn’t have a huge free agent signing this winter as of yet but Luis Severino could be the next Andy Pettitte to take the rotation, and the league, by storm. Mariano Duncan was also signed by the Yankees that winter and while, again, not a huge pickup it was a smart pickup. Duncan’s defense and ability to play small ball played into the hands of the Yankees and Joe Torre perfectly that season. Could that be Starlin Castro?

The Yankees were very active in the trade market that offseason as well pulling off a major trade and a minor notable trade. The major trade saw Russ Davis and Sterling Hitchcock head to Seattle for reliever Jeff Nelson, first baseman Tino Martinez and Jim Mecir. The minor trade was a player to be named later trade that brought Tim “Rock” Raines to the Bronx. New York may already have their minor trade of the offseason, Aaron Hicks for John Ryan Murphy, but the major trade is yet to come.

The final and most glaring similarity is a rookie and the lack of confidence from upper management in the middle infield. In 1996 it was Derek Jeter who George Steinbrenner didn’t think was ready for the show, especially defensively, while it’s Hal and Brian Cashman who lack the confidence in Robert Refsnyder heading into 2016. The stars are aligning, give the kid a shot.

I am in no way comparing the two teams, that 1996 team was built to win for a long time prior to that season, but the similarities are too glaring to ignore.

Twitter Poll: Asdrubal Cabrera or Robert Refsnyder?

Since this is now a redundant post that I had scheduled for tomorrow... yeah... here you go for reference.

FREE REFSNYDER!!! https://t.co/yCcQ189QDu

— Greedy Pinstripes (@GreedyStripes) December 7, 2015

Brian Cashman could possibly be on the verge of upsetting the masses once again by signing a second baseman to a lucrative contract that has no business being on the roster. Two years ago it was Brian Roberts, almost out of necessity, while last year it was Stephen Drew. This year it could be Asdrubal Cabrera who the Yankees are said to be interested in according to multiple reports, but why? Why do the Yankees have that little confidence in Robert Refsnyder and why do they make it so blatantly obvious to both him and the fans? Or maybe the fans would welcome Cabrera on a one-year deal, who knows? Sounds like an idea for the return of the Twitter Poll:

.@GreedyStripes @BryanHoch What is wrong with Cashman? We could have had Asdrubel last year instead of Drew. But, why not give Ref a shot?

— Captain Steve Rogers (@CaptainSRogers) December 7, 2015

@GreedyStripes why not give it a try. Average offense and has shown good defense at times. Also a switch hitter

— David (@DavidRebori) December 7, 2015

@GreedyStripes Unnecessary. Refsnyder is better, cheaper, and younger.

— Barack Lesnar (@Barack_Lesnar) December 7, 2015

@GreedyStripes get him for less than 5 million somehow and I'd do that. He'd like the short porch and is a switch hitter.

— The Yankee Fan (@YankeeLiveTweet) December 7, 2015

@GreedyStripes If he can play the base and hit the ball. Why Not

— Heart2 (@YDPSHR) December 8, 2015

The bag was more mixed than I thought it would be. I still don’t buy it though and I said as much in the responses on twitter. Cabrera is marginal offensively and marginal defensively, at worst so is Refsnyder. Cabrera will either plateau statistically, and he wasn’t exactly great in 2015, or decline while the sky is the limit for Refsnyder. Sure Cabrera is a former shortstop and sure he is a switch hitter but he’s also been working in the infield a lot longer than Refsnyder has and he’s still terrible defensively in my opinion.

@NotBrettGardner @GreedyStripes @Rob_Refsnyder how many 2nd basemen does he want? Are we trying to set a record?

— Rach (@RachelG48NYY) December 7, 2015

Get it trending ladies and gents, #FREEREFSNYDER

Yankees Said to be Interested in Asdrubal Cabrera a Year Too Late

This would be just the kind of dumb shit move that Brian Cashman would make, wouldn’t it? Excuse my language and excuse my bluntness but this rumor has me heated. The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in shortstop/second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera. Of course the team reiterated that their budget is stretched about as thin as it’s going to get so a deal could be unlikely but the interest is there nonetheless.

So let me get this straight. You want to take an older, more expensive switch-hitting version of Robert Refsnyder and sign him to say a one or two year deal on the cheap and once again block and demoralize Refsnyder himself? And for what? Average offense, average defense and a switch hitter to balance out a lineup that will continue to either strikeout or hit a home run, nothing more.

I don’t get it. I don’t. These better be just rumors and we better not be bracing ourselves for another Stephen Drew at second base next season. I can’t even right now. I’ll flip. I’ll lose it. Cashman, don’t do it. I mean it, don’t!

Recap: Yankees 6, Rays 4

Brian McCann hit a game-tying three-run shot in the sixth and Alex Rodriguez followed it up with a solo blast of his own as the Yankees edged the Rays, 6-4, on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Just What They Needed: McCann drilled a Chris Archer fastball high into the right-field stands, evening the score at three after a dominant early-going by the Rays' righty. Rodriguez then clubbed the go-ahead homer on the very next pitch, lifting a hanging slider into the fourth row in right-center for his 28th long ball of the year.

Super Solid: Ivan Nova surrendered three earned runs in the first three innings, but bounced back from there for a second straight quality start. Nova's final line included six frames and three strikeouts, a Kevin Kiermaier two-run home run and a Logan Forsythe RBI single accounting for the visitors' offense.

The Insurance Agent: Didi Gregorius used some heads-up base-running to score on a throwing error in the seventh, adding further insurance with a bases-loaded single in the eighth. The Rays had been trying to turn a double play when Forsythe's seventh-inning heave to first went wide, allowing Gregorius to sprint home from third with the Yanks' fifth run (unearned) off Archer.

An Unusual Occurence: The normally-perfect Dellin Betances served up a solo bomb to Asdrubal Cabrera in the eighth, a no-doubter to the upper-deck in right to cut the Yankees' lead to one. It was just the fourth time this season Betances has been taken deep, all of which have interestingly come in the Bronx.

Holding On: Andrew Miller yielded a pair of singles with two out in the ninth, putting men on the corners for pinch-hitter Brandon Guyer. Guyer, however, was hopeless in his attempts to hit Miller -- striking out awkwardly on just four pitches as the closer sealed the victory.

Next Up: The Yankees continue this homestand with a visit from the Orioles on Monday, sending Michael Pineda (10-8, 4.07 ERA) to the mound versus lefty Wei-Yin Chen (8-7, 3.36 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. ET, airing live on YES and ESPN.

Yankees Not In on Asdrubal Cabrera

Whether this is all a ploy and Bubba Crosby is going to be our center fielder next season or if this is the truth remains to be seen but the New York Yankees are apparently "out" on Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera was at one point a offensive minded shortstop who has lost some range and is now better suited as a second baseman. Earlier in the week we reported that Cabrera would be willing to take a one year deal to establish his value and his market in next year's class, which would be right up the Yankees alley, but it seems like New York is content using Robert Refsnyder and/or Jose Pirela for the job.

In a word, good. The team doesn't need any more reclamation projects and the team doesn't need another veteran undeserving of a job that is blocking a prospect. Let Refsnyder have the job and let the Mets have Cabrera.

What the Yankees should do next

By Eddie Sapienza
Yesterday the Yankees made two trades. They now have some open spots to fill on their team. Let's get started with a good hitting infielder. The Yankees traded Martin Prado yesterday and he was a big piece to the Yankees lineup and he played solid defense.

The offseason is not over yet and their is still moves to be made. What some people have been saying is that the Yankees should sign Asdrubal Cabrera for second base as a possibility. I agree with the people who have been saying that but their is one problem.

In the system two infielders known as Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyder are waiting for a call up. They both played superb in the 2015 season. Still Pirela has the edge over Refsnyder because he is a more finished product than Refsnyder.

In my opinion we should go with the home grown talent. Asdrubal Cabrera isn't considered old but us fans want this team as young as can be so Pirela/Refsnyder would be best for the job. Although that decision is up to Yankees GM Brian Cashman and he'll do what he thinks is best for the team.

Another problem that needs to be fixed is the rotation. We traded Prado and Phelps for Marlins pitcher Nate Eovaldi. From the season Eovaldi had in 2014 I'm concerned about him and the Yankees rotation.

Health isn't a concern for Eovaldi but the way he pitches is. In 2014 he went 6-14 with a 4.37 era. That is very concerning to Yankees fans. So what we did in that trade was give up one of our best hitters for a pitcher who can't even pitch. Cashman dealt wrong AGAIN but to our suffering he'll be with us for the next 3 years.


Cashman says he can transform Eovaldi into an ace. Let's hope that's true otherwise their will be rotation problems. Even though the Yankees rotation is full I still want them to go after a big pitcher such as Max Scherzer or James Shields. Scherzer's agent Scott Boras wanted 8 years 216 million dollars for Scherzer. That is a boatload of many and the Yankees will most likely not sign him.

Scherzer is a fantastic pitcher but for that money let somebody else overpay him. As for Shields I haven't heard any recent updates on him going to the Yankees or to any other team as of now. A lot of fans want the Yankees to rebuild. The Yankees are too impatient to wait 5 to 10 years for a rebuild. So that can't be a solution. If the Yankees want to make the playoffs in 2015 these moves need to be made and very soon.

The Best of What's Left

Let's take a quick look in between our NFL television watching to see the best of what's left on the free agent market and see who the Yankees could potentially target. The bolded players are players that I could personally see the Yankees pursuing and/or signing. Disagree? Tell me in the comments. 

RHP Max Scherzer
LHP Jon Lester
RHP James Shields
RHP Brandon McCarthy
RHP Ervin Santana
RHP David Robertson
LHP Andrew Miller
RHP Luke Gregerson
RHP Sergio Romo
RHP Rafael Soriano
RHP Pat Neshek
RHP Jason Grilli

SS Stephen Drew
OF Torii Hunter
RF Nick Markakis
LF Melky Cabrera
DH Nelson Cruz
1B Mike Morse
3B Chase Headley
CF Colby Rasmus
SS Jed Lowrie
2B Asdrubal Cabrera
C Geovany Soto
UT Emilio Bonifacio
C A.J. Pierzynski

Yankees Black Friday Check List

The Thanksgiving Day festivities are coming to an end in most households so now it’s time to gear up for a fight, let’s go Black Friday shopping. First and foremost I am big on history so here is a little tidbit as to why it’s called Black Friday. Most department stores claim that they operate in the red, or losing money, all year long and more than make up for it on Christmas. The first time these stores would make a profit, or see their bottom line go into the black, would be the day after Thanksgiving when all the sales and door busters were going on. Now you know so now let’s sign some players for the Yankees.

Chase Headley is a must and if you sign him now I think he comes at a bargain. Don’t let other teams come in and ramp up the price after missing out on Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez just give him what he wants. If it’s a four year deal then so be it because he can always be stashed at first base after the 2016 season when Mark Teixeira leaves. If it’s money he wants then so be it because the team is already over the luxury tax threshold before signing a single arbitration case or free agent when you consider the players bonuses and such that are written into the new CBA. If he wants both then you do it, we’re the Yankees dammit and we need to start acting like it.

Brandon McCarthy/Jon Lester is a must sign as well. I know everyone is screaming about how the team needs bats and if we bolster the pitching staff we would lose 1-0 and 2-1 every night but the pitching is important too. With a rotation decimated with injuries last year hence all the question marks this year the team needs some sort of reliability at the top. Lester does not cost us a pick and McCarthy was great pitching in Yankee Stadium. Sign them both!

Finally our last stop would get us a shortstop. At this point I don’t care who it is, Troy Tulowitzki, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew, Clint Barmes, Jimmy Rollins, whoever. The team needs a shortstop and the team needs one now before this turns into a 2014 second base search that nets us a Brian Roberts all season long. The Yankees don’t need to necessarily react to Boston’s signings and go crazy but the team needs to do something because the team has holes to fill. What better day to check a few things off the list then Black Friday, right?

Boston Making Things Extremely Difficult for the Yankees

The Boston Red Sox pulled a George Steinbrenner’s New York Yankees move when the team bought up the top hitting free agents on the market in Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. Looking at the market now, especially for the left side of the infield, New York may be almost forced to make a trade to compete. If Chase Headley decides to sign somewhere other than New York then the Yankees would truly be in trouble and may be forced to either gut the farm or miss the postseason for a third straight season.

After Headley the most enticing third base options are Mark Reynolds, Alberto Callaspo and Kelly Johnson. I would take a flyer on Reynolds but for the others I would give a very emphatic “no thank you.” Shortstop is not much better as the best available right now are Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew and Asdrubal Cabrera. Lowrie is going to take advantage of a weak market to get way too much money for way too many years while Drew takes a pillow contract for one season. Cabrera is basically a second baseman at this point in his career although I’m sure Yankees fans wouldn’t notice his lack of range after watching Derek Jeter run around at age 40 last season.

Enter the Chicago Cubs who have Starlin Castro, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and others along with the Arizona Diamondbacks who have Didi Gregorious, Jake Lamb, Brandon Drury, Chris Owings and others. You can always throw in the Philadelphia Phillies willingness to trade Jimmy Rollins and Chicago’s willingness to move Alexei Ramirez into the fold for the Yankees as well. The problem for New York? Boston has a huge stable of major league ready prospects and established major league players, Yoenis Cespedes for example, that could be had without mortgaging the future prospects wise or money wise. Boston can have any player that they want, and that is available obviously, and could swoop in and steal any potential player in a trade that the Yankees could be targeting. Could you imagine Troy Tulowitzki in Fenway Park in 2015?

Boston has made things extremely difficult for the Yankees and this is going to be the first offseason in a long time that Yankees GM Brian Cashman is going to have to use his brain and not his checkbook to make the team better. Stay tuned and damn you Boston!

Jimmy Rollins Makes a lot of Sense For 2015

"I'm out of here, take over bro!" - Derek Jeter

With the sky as the limit when it comes to possibilities for the 2015 New York Yankees many around the Yankees blogosphere are throwing around names as potential replacements for Derek Jeter. One name that has not been mentioned enough that should be is Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rollins is in the final year of his contract with the Phillies worth $11 million and announced that he would be willing to waive his no trade clause to head to a contender. The Phillies have all but announced that the team is ready and willing to start a rebuilding process and unloading Rollins may be the first step in that process.

The cons for Rollins obviously start with his age, 36 by the time the season starts, but you must consider the fact that his defense has not regressed to the point of being a liability. Rollins also is more than adequate with the bat given his position as he posted a 102 wRC+ last season and would come with just a one year deal associated with him.

The free agent market for next season at shortstop does not look all that enticing but a lot can happen in 12 months and the Yankees will not find a better stop gap than Rollins. You know more or less what you are going to get out of Rollins and I'd rather have the certainty than to have to hope and pray that Stephen Drew or Asdrubal Cabrera bounce back from down seasons.

It won't cost much in terms of dollars or prospects for the Yankees to acquire Rollins from the Phillies and it makes a ton of sense for both teams. Make it happen Cash.

2015 Free Agency Royal Rumble – Shortstop

Ladies and gentleman welcome to the 2015 Major League Baseball free agency Royal Rumble brought to you by The Greedy Pinstripes. Tonight we have all the potential shortstop options for the New York Yankees heading into this winter in one ring vying for the contract of a lifetime, let’s go down to the ring.

In the red corner stands former Yankee Stephen Drew, in the blue corner stands Asdrubal Cabrera, in the green corner stands Jed Lowrie, and in the black corner stands Hanley Ramirez. Let’s get it on!

Ok I have had some fun writing these but this one really is no contest. New York is in the position where they have to sacrifice defense for offense if they want to compete in 2015 and 2016. Hanley can handle shortstop for a season or two before switching to third base or first base when Alex Rodriguez's and Mark Teixeira'sz contracts are over. Hanley, the other guys wouldn't even get in the ring. 

MLBTR Free Agency Outlook: Asdrubal Cabrera

Asdrubal Cabrera might not be the player that some envisioned he would be four years ago, but he still holds a ton of value as he gets ready to explore the open market.  Save forHanley Ramirez, Cabrera arguably stands as the winter’s most attractive free agent shortstop option.

Strengths/Pros

At just 28 years old (29 in November), Cabrera has youth on his side, especially when surveying the rest of the available talent pool.  Cabrera also boasts four consecutive years of mostly good health with an average of 144 games per season over that span.  Of course, that 2011 season was more than just the start of Cabrera’s good fortune in the health department, it was his true coming out party.  That season, Cabrera slashed .273/.332/.460 for the Tribe, earning his first All-Star selection and his first Silver Slugger trophy.

In 2012, Cabrera earned a second All-Star nomination thanks in part to another strong showing at the plate (.270/.338/.423).  The following two years didn’t bring the same kind of accolades and praise, but Cabrera continued to produce.  Cabrera’s breakout year was his best to date, but the last three years have shown that he can deliver ~15 homers (he had 16, 14, and 14 the last three years) with some speed on the basepaths.

Cabrera also offers more than just shortstop experience, he also has 1773 2/3 innings of career experience at second base.  He mainly plied his craft at shortstop from 2010-2014, but he returned to second this season upon joining the Nationals, so some of the rust from the change should be gone.  His ability to play either middle infield position should help increase his market and will also provide his next team with a bit of flexibility.  This also isn’t a strong second base market on the whole, so his versatility is a positive.

Weaknesses/Cons

Defensively, Cabrera leaves much to be desired.  For his career, Cabrera has a -10.6 UZR/150 rating at shortstop, putting him well below your average defender.  His most recent campaigns haven’t helped either as he posted -16.8 and -10.5 marks in each of the last two seasons.  His body of work at second base is better, according to UZR/150, but still far from great.  He has a lifetime -2.5 UZR/150 at second and turned in a -5.3 rating in 432 innings for the Nats.  Looking for a second opinion?  Defensive runs saved has Cabrera as a -10 defender at second base in 2014 and -7 at shortstop.  The career total is more favorable for second base (2), but even less so at shortstop (-22).

At the plate, it’s impossible to overlook the drop off that Cabrera has experienced over the last two seasons.  In the All-Star years, he slashed a combined .272/.335/.443 with a 118 OPS+, well above the league average.  In the last two seasons, he has produced a .241/.303/.394 batting line with a slightly below-average OPS+ of 96.  Cabrera’s 2014 walk (7.7%) and strikeout percentages (17.1%) are in line with his career averages, which is to say they’re alright, but not great.

Personal

Cabrera and his wife, Lismar, have two children and this winter they’ll welcome another member of the Cabrera clan into the world.

Of course, Cabrera spent his entire big league career in Cleveland before the midseason trade that sent him to the nation’s capital.  While he didn’t stomp his feet over being dealt to the Nationals, he was upset to leave what had become a second home for him, telling reporters it was “like [he] grew up” in Cleveland.  That feeling was reciprocated in the front office.

”It’s another tough day for a number of us personally because of how much Asdrubal meant to our team and our organization,” General Manager Chris Antonetti said, according to The Associated Press. ”He’s a guy who has impacted two postseasons for us. We’ll obviously miss Asdrubal a great deal.”

In his downtime, Cabrera enjoys being on his farm in Florida where he tends to his horses every morning.  Back in Venezuela, he’s a fan of taking his boat out on the water with family and friends.

Market

Even though he prefers the shortstop position and his second half in Washington didn’t produce his finest work, Cabrera has said that he would welcome a return to the Nationals.

“It depends. A team like this team, a good team that want me to play second, I would love to stay here. I just want to win. I’ve got eight seasons already. I want to be in the World Series one day,” Cabrera said, according to MASNsports.com’s Dan Kolko.

That desire to win could, theoretically, lead to a discount for the incumbent Nats.  Recently,Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider expertly summed up the Nationals’ dilemma at second base.  If they want to prioritize offense at the position, then Cabrera is the better choice to make than giving the defensively strong Danny Espinosa an opportunity to take back the job.  Our own Jeff Todd suggests that a platoon between Cabrera and Espinosa, who can hit against lefties and serve as a strong defensive replacement, would make sense.  The Nats can also use that duo to fill the void if Ian Desmond leaves in free agency next winter.  However, it’s not a given that the Nats will be willing to get in the ballpark of what other clubs will offer Cabrera.

If the two sides can’t get on the same page for a reunion, there should be plenty of interest from teams in need of middle infield help.  The competition at second base is thin, though Cuban defectors Jose Fernandez and Hector Olivera have added some depth there.  At shortstop, Cabrera will have to vie with Stephen Drew and Jed Lowrie.  As noted in Jeff’s recent poll asking the MLBTR commentariat to choose the best option from the trio, Ramirez could be seen more as a third base option than shortstop and the year’s best potential option, J.J. Hardy, is already spoken for.

Teams like the Padres, Reds, and Mets could be interested in signing an impact shortstop, though none of them look the part of a Las Vegas championship favorite for 2015.  The A’s and the Blue Jays could both be in the market for a second baseman.  The Yankees, meanwhile, are on the lookout for a shortstop and, depending on how things play out, could have a need at second as well.  Martin Prado is currently penciled in to fill that role, but if he’s needed elsewhere, the Bombers could look into someone like Cabrera for second.

Expected Contract

The dearth of quality free agent middle infielders is something of a double-edged sword for Cabrera.  On one hand, he has less competition.  On the other, as evidenced by the lack of intriguing available options, a lot of teams are already set, particularly at second base.  There are also a few teams with surpluses in that area like the Rangers, Cubs, and Diamondbacks, which could draw attention away from the free agent market.

Ultimately, while he enjoys playing shortstop more, his best bet at winning and cashing in could come as a second baseman.  The Nationals should at least have some interest in working out a new deal, even though they didn’t get a redux of Cabrera’s best work.  The Yankees, if they shift Prado, can be expected to show interest as well.  Because of his age and his ability to play both middle infield positions, I predict that Cabrera will land a three-year, $27MM deal.

ORIGINALLY SEEN HERE ON MLB TRADE RUMORS. CHECK THEM OUT. 

Cashman Needs To Change His Name....

If the New York Yankees want to win anything during his new three year contract that he just signed to stay with the team Brian Cashman is going to have to change his name and change his ways. No longer can Cashman be the cash man and simply throw money at problems, Cashman is going to have to get younger to get better and save cash by building from within. Cashman's new name has to be Prospectman if the Yankees want any sort of success in the 2015-2017 seasons.

The Yankees find themselves in a situation this offseason that Cashman will no longer be able to simply throw money at problems to fix the Yankees. The only positions that look like they can be filled right now are the shortstop position, possibly a third baseman, and a bench spot or two. New York doesn't have any prospects close to taking over at either shortstop or third base, unless you buy into the Eric Jagielo hype but I don't, so Cashman will be forced to head back out into the market.

The problem with the third base market is that it is extremely top heavy with Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez, and then everyone else. Either New York will have to overpay for one of those two players, bring back Chase Headley on a longer termed deal, rely on Alex Rodriguez, or bring in a lesser player like the team did with Brian Roberts to replace Robinson Cano.

With JJ Hardy signing an extension with the Baltimore Orioles the shortstop market looks bleak and may force the Yankees to bring in Asdrubal Cabrera or Stephen Drew on one year pillow contracts. Neither will instill fear in opposing pitchers, even if they go back to career averages and norms, and neither will improve the offense dramatically.

If New York wants to compete in the next three years of the Brian Cashman era it is going to have to be on the backs of the farm system and not the checkbook. The Yankees no longer have a core and that essential piece of team building has to come from the farm system, not from 30 year old + free agents loaded with question marks. Prospectman, not Cashman in 2015.

Thinking About 2015: The Conclusion, I’m Greedy

For the past few days I have been thinking about the 2015 season and the team the New York Yankees will put out on the field and I have come to the conclusion that I am absolutely greedy. I haven’t lived up to the Greedy Pinstripes moniker as much in recent years as I did before the 2009 season when this blog was unofficially formed. This season I decided I have gone all out when I started constructing this All Star roster. If you remember correctly I added James Shields to the starting rotation, Nelson Cruz to a rotational DH spot, Asdrubal Cabrera to the shortstop position, and Grady Sizemore to the outfield rotation as well and I think I may have too many good players and not enough spots to give everyone playing time without gutting the roster.

Using the players added above the roster would look something like this:

SP1: CC Sabathia

SP2: Masahiro Tanaka

SP3: Michael Pineda

SP4: James Shields

SP5: Shane Greene

SP6: David Phelps

SP7: Ivan Nova

CL: David Robertson

SU: Dellin Betances

MR: Adam Warren

MR: Shawn Kelley

LR: Chase Whitley

LOOGY: Jacob Lindgren

LR: Manny Banuelos

C: Brian McCann

1B: Mark Teixiera

2B: Robert Refsnyder

SS: Asdrubal Cabrera

3B: Chase Headley

OF: Brett Gardner

OF: Jacoby Ellsbury

OF: Carlos Beltran

BN: Grady Sizemore

BN: Brendan Ryan

BN: Martin Prado

BN: Francisco Cervelli

BN/DH: Alex Rodriguez

BN/DH: Nelson Cruz

Obviously one or two of the pitchers would need to go, and that is before you consider Bryan Mitchell and others for a spot. We also have far too many options with the bats but hey, those problems are for the GM and the manager to figure out. Just bring me the best players to do the job and get me to the Promised Land. Get Greedy, get them all. 

Thinking About 2015: Derek Jeter's Replacement

The New York Yankees season is winding down and so is the career of the great Derek Jeter. Much like this season when New York had to replace closer Mariano Rivera and starting pitcher Andy Pettitte the Yankees will have a huge hole at the shortstop position to fill in 2015. Many analysts have speculated that the Yankees would hand the reigns to JJ Hardy of the Baltimore Orioles via free agency but I have to disagree. Hardy hits home runs but would command a contract that the Yankees are unlikely to consider, enter Asdrubal Cabrera in his place.

I personally called for an Asdrubal trade before the July 31st trading deadline so he could learn and play second base for the team. The Washington Nationals were reading my material that day and pounced on the shortstop and plugged him in at second base with great results. While Cabrera is nothing more than a stop gap and not the solution long term at short I would like to see him in the fold and in pinstripes when the 2015 season begins. 

Cabrera hit .246/.305/.386 with nine home runs and 40 RBI before the trade to Washington and has hit .235/.333/.429 with four home runs and 12 RBI. This production has come from a bottom the order type hitter and would instantly make him one of the best offensive producers if he were on the Yankees this season. Jeter has a -0.1 WAR this season and Cabrera has a 1.1 WAR, let that sink in for you. 

Cabrera is only 28 years old (will be 29 in November), a switch hitter, and adequate enough with both the glove and the bat to get the job done in New York in my opinion. This falls under that "makes too much sense to happen" category for the Yankees. 

Speculating A Move For Asdrubal Cabrera

This is pure speculation here and probably more coincidental than anything but something seems fishy when it comes to how the Yankees have been handling Brian Roberts lately. Roberts is two at bats away from an incentive in his contract that would pay him an additional $250,000. While I realize that is chump change to any team, especially the Yankees, you have to think something is up. You especially question the Yankees motives when the next day it is announced that Roberts needs "a couple days off" to rest. Coincidentally those couple of days takes us through the July 31st trading deadline.

Enter Asdrubal Cabrera who has been made available by the Cleveland Indians. Cabrera is an average at best shortstop but could easily give the Yankees an upgrade offensively and defensively at second base. Cabrera would come cheap as a pure rental with diminished productivity. He fits the Yankees needs perfectly on the field, in the wallet, and down on the farm.

It's probably a coincidence and Joe Girardi will place Roberts in the lineup tonight after the deadline has come and gone but something stinks here.

Potential Trade Targets For New York Today

Here is a quick list of who the Yankees could realistically acquire today before the trading deadline at 4:00 pm ET. This is pure speculation and based on trade rumors, not inside sources, so take this with a grain of salt. The Yankees tend to keep their trade rumors quiet when they actually make a deal so I will likely whiff on all of these but you have to be in it to win it.

Marlon Byrd of the Phillies, Justin Ruggiano of the Cubs, and Dayan Viciedo of the White Sox all look like potential trade candidates for the Yankees outfield. Josh Willingham has been thrown around a lot in rumors but the Yankees need a right fielder and Willingham has never played right in his career. It's also worth mentioning that his arm would be below average in right field. Alex Rios is a right fielder and could fill the void that will be there in 2015 as well making him attractive.

Asdrubal Cabrera could be a potential target at second base that I like a lot over Brian Roberts.

The marginal upgrades at starting pitcher include Jorge De La Rosa of the Rockies, Brett Anderson of the Rockies, Cliff Lee of the Phillies, and Ian Kennedy of the Padres.

Bullpen help could come with an Antonio Bastardo trade with the Phillies, Joaquin Benoit from the Padres, and James Russell of the Athletics.

The pipe dream list includes Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies, Cole Hamels of the Phillies, David Price of the Rays, and Jon Lester of the Red Sox.